Year-long physical activity and metabolic syndrome in older Japanese adults: cross-sectional data from the Nakanojo Study.
BACKGROUND
We determined associations between habitual physical activity and metabolic syndrome in elderly persons.


METHODS
Pedometer/accelerometers measured step count and activity intensity on a 24-hour basis in 220 free-living Japanese persons 65-84 years old throughout an entire year. At year end, participants were screened for metabolic syndrome (modified criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III [NCEP-ATP III]).


RESULTS
Most individuals 65-74 years old who took > 10,000 steps/d and/or spent > 30 min/d of activity > 3 metabolic equivalents (METs) had < or = 2 metabolic syndrome diagnostic markers, as did those 75-84 years old with > 8000 steps/d and/or > 20 min/d at > 3 METs. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that the risk of metabolic syndrome was 4.3 (1.6-11.7) and 3.3 (1.3-8.8) times greater in the least active quartiles of participants (taking < 4700 steps/d and spending < 9 min/d at > 3 METs, respectively) relative to the most active quartiles (taking > 8500 steps/d and spending > 24 min/d at > 3 METs, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The metabolic syndrome is less likely in elderly people taking > 8000-10,000 steps/d, and reaching an intensity > 3 METs for > 20-30 min/d, relative to their sedentary peers.
Park
Sungjin
S
Exercise Sciences Research Group, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan.
Park
Hyuntae
H
Togo
Fumiharu
F
Watanabe
Eiji
E
Yasunaga
Akitomo
A
Yoshiuchi
Kazuhiro
K
Shephard
Roy J
RJ
Aoyagi
Yukitoshi
Y
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors